Evaluation of Deterioration of Structural Concrete Due to Chloride Intrusion and Other Damaging Mechanisms

Kentucky's bridges continue to age and experience distress. The intrusion of chlorides into concrete remains the primary mechanism for deterioration. It leads to reinforcing steel corrosion that damages the adjoining concrete structure. This study found problematic chloride concentrations in Kentucky concrete bridge elements (decks, pier caps, abutments). Chloride levels have been found at concentrations sufficient to initiate reinforcing steel corrosion. In some cases, chloride concentrations were sufficient to cause accelerated corrosion and produce major section loss of reinforcing steel. Advanced stages of corrosion such as these typically require costly repairs and maintenance to extend the service life of bridges. Field inspections and laboratory analyses conducted during this study verified the ongoing problem of concrete deterioration across bridges within Kentucky's transportation network.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.13023/KTC.RR.2014.03
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Kentucky Transportation Center

  University of Kentucky
  Lexington, KY  United States  40506

  Kentucky Transportation Cabinet

  200 Mero Street
  Frankfort, KY  United States  40622

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Howell, Brian
  • Hopwood II, Theodore
  • Meade, Bobby W
  • Palle, Sudhir
• Publication Date: 2015-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 98p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Chlorides; Concrete bridges; Corrosion; Evaluation; Inspection; Laboratory tests; Reinforcing steel
• Geographic Terms: Kentucky
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; I60: Maintenance;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01581023
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: KTC-14-03/SPR10-406-1F
• Contract Numbers: KYSPR 10-406
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Nov 20 2015 5:12PM